Slimy objects on live sand

[RTDT]

Hello all, we have a 20gal tank with 10lbs of LR and 10lbs of LS. The tank was started on 9/30/05 and all this week readings were: High range 8.2;
Ammonia .25; nitrite 0; nitrate 80 but todays readings of nitrate was 90!
We have two Damsels, one choc chip starfish, one pink tip anemone, one "blue sponge" two hairy leg crabs, one peppermint shrimp and 4 turbo snails and one out of two Cardinal fish. I'm runing a Penuin 125 Biowheel with a powerhead with a single 50/50 bulb. Weekly water changes of around 10-12 gallons every week and the tank looks great. Today we lost a Cardinal Fish but are seeing a "slim/fungus" on the bottom of the tank. What is it and i think i need to purchase a Skimmer. What do you experts think we should do? Any suggestions will greatly be appreciated.
Thanks,
Newbys - RTDT

[NaCl_H2O]

What is on the surfaces is most likely cyanobacteria, typical for a high nitrate situation. In a 20g, the sand bed isn't going to help with nitrates, and something is feeding your ammonia level - most likely over feeding, or just build up of wastes, which also feeds the cyano.

In a 20g, water changes are your best bet. A skimmer will be tough to make work efficiently without more water volume (a sump), you also have a significant bio-load for a 20. Small tanks are actually MUCH more difficult to keep stable. Your bio-wheel and LR is helping convers Amm-nitrite and nitrite-nitrate, but you have nothing really helping with the nitrate. Including a sump/fuge with a small skimmer and some macro algae woud be the best solution, but upgrade the tank size while you are at it and use the 20 for the sump/fuge ;)

Others here may be able to offer suggestions for the 20g. I tried a 12g nano for awhile - WAY too difficult to keep stable for me!

[cbianco]

Where does your water come from? Tap water is filled with nutrients that work against us (i.e. phosphates) in our tanks. If you are using tap water make sure to switch to a RO filtered source. Most fish stores carry RO water as well as water machines (i.e. in front of Wal Mart).

I have dealt with cyanobacteria myself and it is a hassel.

In order to curb the cyanobacteria TEMPORARILY you can turn off the tank lights for a couple of days. You will notice the cyanobacteria receed. Remember that this is only temporary and you must find the source of nutrients and export the current nutrients in your tank.

Ask follow up questions, Good Luck!

Christopher

[gjuarez]

Steve mentioned that something might be feeding the amonia into your tank. I agree. Another possibility might be that your aquarium is not cycled completely yet. Your aquarium has been setup for for like about 6 weeks. Sometimes, the nitrogen cycle takes a little longer to complete. As far as the bio-load, it is high for a 20 gallon. I would be careful with the anemone, if it dies it could release toxins and kill everything. Some suggestions would be too feed lightly and keep up with the water changes you are making. A skimmer would be very helpful but like mentioned it could be very difficult to adjust. BTW, some reputable reefers have mentioned that Bio-Wheels contribute with nitrates into the aquaria. I am not an expert so I can tell you why, I am pretty sure some one will chime in and explain better. Good luck with your tank and I hope my info can help.
Jerry

[alton]

I have always used a simple rule of 1 gallon of water, 1 pd of liverock. So a 20 gallon tank requires a min. of 20 pds of liverock. Bio wheels are great for adding oxygen but do nothing for the bacterial load. My 29 gallon has a nitrate level of less than 5 with a juv. clown trigger in it. I do not have a skimmer on it, but I do a 4 to 5 gal. water change every week. Remember most corals live off of fish waste. I had a friend who had the perfect 10 gallon tank with purple algae liverock and in one week a chocolate chip starfish cleaned it all out?

[demodiki]

I would agree that your tank is probably not done cycling yet. I would keep a very close eye on your livestock and inverts. You should probably try and do several small water changes to try and get that ammonia and nitrates down.

Honestly, I would say that your cyano is the least of your problems right now.